Tobirama scolded very satisfyingly…
If it had been in the past, he would still have had to consider the bearing of being a teacher and the face of his student…
Even if he wanted to criticize Danzō, he would have needed to keep it somewhat dignified and could not have been so direct.
Moreover, that kid Danzō had hidden things rather deeply…
In the past, whenever Tobirama criticized him, Danzō's attitude had always been unbelievably good—almost to the point of writing it down in a little notebook and reciting it day and night…
But now it seemed—
This kid was a classic case of actively admitting mistakes yet resolutely refusing to change!
The double tomoe quietly appeared in Tobirama's eyes.
"Your ocular chakra flow sequence has no problems, which means you aren't injured…"
"Then why are you still wearing bandages? To make it look like you've worked hard and achieved great merit?"
"Interesting. Kusagakure has a fool who loves doing the same thing as you do…" Tobirama continued his barrage: "He was very stupid—so stupid that he got himself killed."
For a moment, Danzō actually did not retaliate, because he was stunned.
For a very long time, no one in Konohagakure had spoken to Danzō like this…
At most, only Hiruzen could treat him this way, and perhaps Tsunade and Orochimaru as well.
Wait—was this Uchiha brat not afraid of him?
And on the other side—
Isshin, Fugaku, and the others with three tomoe who had rushed over were also stunned when they saw this scene.
The lingering knot in their hearts—about not wanting to return to the Uchiha and the discomfort they felt—suddenly cleared in an instant…
This kid really was arrogant!
With a pair of double tomoe open, he was openly sizing up Danzō without the slightest restraint, even firing off insults right to his face…
Honestly, Fugaku and Isshin felt that unless they had been pushed to a certain point, they truly could not have done something like this. This was practically declaring a challenge openly and flipping the table.
'Was this also within your calculations, Sensei…?'
Suppressing his laughter, Hiruzen walked behind Danzō and silently became an observer.
If some other Uchiha had spoken to Danzō like this, it would indeed have caused serious problems.
But Tobirama was different…
After all, those who do not know are not to blame. He had just been rescued from Kusagakure—how could he possibly know who you are?
That perfectly matched the character setup.
"Brat, let me tell you who I am…"
"I am the Hokage's Advisor of Konohagakure and the Director of the Anbu!" Danzō very much wanted to lose his temper, but he noticed that Hiruzen had walked behind him, so he could only endure it.
"What does Hokage's Advisor mean?" Tobirama frowned.
This question—he genuinely meant it.
A Hokage is a Hokage, so why create such an awkward position like an advisor?
Isn't having counselors enough? Was this meant to show that someone stood above the others among the high ranks?
"It naturally means someone who assists the Hokage…" Danzō said in a deep voice.
"I see. That means you aren't the Hokage?"
Tobirama nodded. "I didn't think you looked like one either. If you were the Hokage, then I must have come to the wrong village."
The moment these words came out, the scene fell into an eerie silence.
The Uchiha were dumbfounded.
This brat was truly a genuine sharp-tongued menace, every sentence stabbing straight into Danzō's heart!
But honestly…
Listening to it felt really satisfying.
"You… brat, you'll regret the things you said today!" Danzō unconsciously clenched both fists, his gaze full of malice and fury.
If this had been back when Root still existed, he would at the very least have had this brat seized that very night and given a beating…
Otherwise, he would never be able to vent this evil anger in his heart!
"Eh, why are you seriously arguing with a child?" Hiruzen placed a hand on Danzō's shoulder and said with a smiling expression, "A child is a child. He doesn't understand Konohagakure, so he's just saying things casually…"
"Tobirama-sensei once said that the village should be tolerant toward ninjas who still do not understand the Will of Fire, and use its heart to let them experience Konohagakure's warmth…"
Danzō froze for a moment and looked at Hiruzen suspiciously.
Was there such a line? How did he not know about it…
It really did sound quite plausible…
Damn it, could it be that Tobirama-sensei had given Hiruzen special tutoring in private?
Tobirama, meanwhile, felt very subtle inside.
He was certain that he had absolutely never said such a thing. This was Hiruzen's original creation!
"Back then, the First-sama also patiently negotiated with each ninja clan before gradually building up Konohagakure…"
Still smiling, Hiruzen brought up another Hokage: "Look at you—coming up here so irritable, and dressed like this too. It's only natural for a young person to be afraid."
"You should learn more from the First-sama—not only his spirit, but also the kindness and gentleness in his very bones."
Danzō looked at Hiruzen speechlessly.
Once you start throwing around one "First-sama" after another and one "Tobirama-sensei" after another, how could anyone keep arguing with you?
Who could ever outtalk you?
'In the future, don't argue with Hiruzen unless you've made sufficient preparations…'
'He has the interpretive authority over the previous Hokage. This move is simply too overbearing…' Danzō muttered inwardly.
"As expected of Hokage-sama, so broad-minded. You see, this really was just a child talking nonsense out of immaturity…"
Isshin let out a sigh of relief and moved closer.
He was wondering how he should take Tobirama away. The scene had become rather awkward…
He had originally thought this boy would be lured away by Danzō, but he had not expected him to have this much guts!
So when Isshin had called people over, it had also been to show a tough attitude as a safeguard.
But with the atmosphere on site like this, calling all these people over had been somewhat rash, making the atmosphere become very strange.
Sure enough, Danzō swept a glance over the large number of elite Uchiha behind Isshin.
And gave a cold laugh.
The pent-up rage in his heart had had nowhere to vent, and now a group of Uchiha had run right into him!
"Uchiha Isshin, what are you bringing so many people here for?"
"What, does the usual work no longer need to be maintained? The village gave the Police Force a pay raise so that you could put on airs in front of everyone?"
Danzō said sinisterly, "The moment you earned merit on the battlefield, you immediately became different from before!"
Isshin's face instantly darkened.
Those words struck at the heart.
Everything else could still be discussed, but going to the battlefield was the future lifeline of the Uchiha clan.
Danzō absolutely could not be allowed to smear it, or else every change would be nothing more than a castle in the air…
Isshin was indeed very capable of enduring.
But some things could not be yielded on. Once yielded, behind him would be the abyss.
"Advisor, some words are better not said carelessly."
Isshin responded coldly, "The Police Force's work is still being carried out very well. If the village's public security has any problems, then I am willing to take the lead in accepting punishment!"
"It's just that we heard a youth of our clan is unwilling to return. Naturally, our clan must show a stance."
"It is also to share Hokage-sama's burdens. He has already considered things for everyone a great deal…"
"As for talk of merit, that is groundless. That is simply what the Uchiha should do for the village."
Danzō narrowed his eyes, and a dangerous aura emanated from his entire body.
An Uchiha brat was young; saying a few words to him could still barely be endured…
Accounts could be settled later.
But you, an old Uchiha—still the insidious kind—also dared to contradict him today?
"Share the burden? Is this how you share the burden…?"
"What, if someone doesn't want to join the Uchiha, you will force him?"
"You say there's been no problem with your work…"
"Fine. Then no one moves now. I will summon the Anbu to inspect the posts. If even one person has abandoned their position, we will investigate this matter to the very end!"
Danzō did not yield at all and did not fall into Isshin's line of logic.
Not having problems meant being correct? Not leaving one's post was what counted as correct!
When facing the Uchiha, Danzō's brain seemed to turn a little faster than usual.
Even Tobirama could not help but nod slightly.
Danzō did still have some redeeming qualities…
"Advisor, today is the day our Uchiha come to receive an orphan. Don't make things look so ugly, shall we?"
"And what if it does look ugly? You brought so many Uchiha—surely you prepared this in advance, didn't you?"
The two confronted each other head-on, neither yielding, moving closer and closer.
"Come, let me see what the Uchiha intend to do…" Danzō continued provoking, a strange light flashing in his eyes. He practically wished the Uchiha would make a move right now.
Isshin took a deep breath. Even with his patient temperament, he was beginning to struggle to hold back.
And at that moment—
Centered on Hiruzen, a powerful burst of chakra erupted.
That chakra seemed almost materialized, forming a fierce current of air that made the surrounding atmosphere howl.
Accompanied by a series of crisp crack sounds, even the ground split open with several deep fissures, stirring up drifting dust.
Shio was so startled that she took several steps back in succession.
Danzō and Isshin were also stunned. Neither of them spoke anymore.
"Haha… how embarrassing, how embarrassing."
Hiruzen laughed honestly and scratched his head as he said, "I'm getting old. Recently I've been researching a new technique, and just now I suddenly gained a bit of insight, but I didn't control it well."
"I was thinking about how to release the chakra stored in the Yin Seal at high output, letting it appear in an enhanced form during battle to increase combat power."
"While thinking about it, I became absorbed in it, and it ended up wasting quite a bit of chakra…"
Those words were half true and half false.
On the one hand, Sarutobi Hiruzen had not truly become absorbed. Rather, he had deliberately mobilized some of the stored chakra to erupt.
Otherwise, even if releasing his full power could achieve such an effect, it would not appear so calm and effortless.
If it did not look casual, then it would not have that profound and unfathomable bluffing effect.
On the other hand, Sarutobi Hiruzen was indeed researching the second stage of the Yin Seal.
Tsunade had made relatively advanced progress in this area and had given Sarutobi Hiruzen some ideas.
She named it the Hundred Healings Technique.
By allowing curse marks to spread across the entire body to channel the stored chakra, one could obtain excessive physical recovery ability in that state—even internal organs could be restored.
It was still under research, but a general framework had already been formed.
Isshin swallowed and said with an embarrassed smile,
"As expected of the Third-sama, known as the 'Professor of Ninjutsu.' You truly have mastery of many ninjutsu, and your condition is getting better and better…"
"Not at all. I'm merely managing to maintain my condition,"
Sarutobi Hiruzen said as he patted Isshin's shoulder. "However, Danzō is correct—routine duty assignments cannot be changed."
"There was an accident today, but what if there is another accident tomorrow?"
"There are always accidents, but the enemy will not stop acting because of accidents…"
Uchiha Isshin immediately stood at attention, a trace of joy rising in his heart.
This was giving him a way out.
"Hokage-sama, I will go back immediately and write a thorough self-criticism. I guarantee to you that the entire Police Force will not allow a similar situation to occur again!"
"Please punish me!"
"There is no need for punishment. Your previous work has still been done well, so this will be treated as a first offense," Sarutobi Hiruzen said with the same cheerful smile.
"But if there is a next time, then this matter will need to be discussed properly."
Uchiha Isshin nodded firmly.
Although Sarutobi Hiruzen's smile was kind and his tone carried no hint of threat…
Uchiha Isshin knew very well that this was an existence even more terrifying than Danzō.
The type that did not frighten people—but once he acted, he took lives.
"Don't randomly burst your chakra, Hiruzen…" Danzō complained as he adjusted his hair.
But he was also very shocked in his heart…
Why did it feel like Hiruzen's chakra had become even more abundant since their last spar?
What was the meaning of this? He no longer asked him to train together and instead secretly improved on his own?
Too despicable!
"Understood, understood…"
"However, I suddenly thought of something—why do you always wear bandages?"
"Wasn't that eye disease of yours already cured?" Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a smiling expression.
Danzō gave an awkward smile. "It's a habit…"
His eye disease had indeed been cured, and his continued wearing of bandages actually originated from one of the former Root members.
"While thinking about it, I became absorbed in it, and it ended up wasting quite a bit of chakra…"
Those words were half true and half false.
On the one hand, Hiruzen had not truly become absorbed. Rather, he had deliberately mobilized some of the stored chakra to erupt.
Otherwise, even if releasing his full power could achieve such an effect, it would not appear so calm and effortless.
If it did not look casual, then it would not have that profound and unfathomable bluffing effect.
On the other hand, Hiruzen was indeed researching the second stage of the Yin Seal.
Tsunade had made relatively advanced progress in this area and had given Hiruzen some ideas.
She named it the Strength of a Hundred Seal.
By allowing curse marks to spread across the entire body to channel the stored chakra, one could obtain excessive physical recovery ability in that state—even internal organs could be restored.
It was still under research, but a general framework had already been formed.
Isshin swallowed and said with an embarrassed smile, "As expected of the Third-sama, known as the 'Professor of Ninjutsu.' You truly have mastery of many ninjutsu, and your condition is getting better and better…"
"Not at all. I'm merely managing to maintain my condition," Hiruzen said as he patted Isshin's shoulder. "However, Danzō is correct—routine duty assignments cannot be changed."
"There was an accident today, but what if there is another accident tomorrow?"
"There are always accidents, but the enemy will not stop acting because of accidents…"
Isshin immediately stood at attention, a trace of joy rising in his heart.
This was giving him a way out.
"Hokage-sama, I will go back immediately and write a thorough self-criticism. I guarantee to you that the entire Police Force will not allow a similar situation to occur again!"
"Please punish me!"
"There is no need for punishment. Your previous work has still been done well, so this will be treated as a first offense," Hiruzen said with the same cheerful smile.
"But if there is a next time, then this matter will need to be discussed properly."
Isshin nodded firmly.
Although Hiruzen's smile was kind and his tone carried no hint of threat…
Isshin knew very well that this was an existence even more terrifying than Danzō.
The type that did not frighten people—but once he acted, he took lives.
"Don't randomly burst your chakra, Hiruzen…" Danzō complained as he adjusted his hair.
But he was also very shocked in his heart…
Why did it feel like Hiruzen's chakra had become even more abundant since their last spar?
What was the meaning of this? He no longer asked him to train together and instead secretly improved on his own?
Too despicable!
"Understood, understood…"
"However, I suddenly thought of something—why do you always wear bandages?"
"Wasn't that eye disease of yours already cured?" Hiruzen said with a smiling expression.
Danzō gave an awkward smile. "It's a habit…"
His eye disease had indeed been cured, and his continued wearing of bandages actually originated from one of the former Root members.
That Root member had said it like this:
"Konohagakure owes everything to you! Only you are the one who sacrifices everything for the village!"
"When you wear these bandages, you look even more heroic. Let those who do not understand you properly see your dedication!"
Danzō felt that the boy's words made a lot of sense, so he adopted the idea.
And it continued naturally to this day…
"Bad habits should be corrected," Hiruzen said to Danzō.
Danzō lowered his head and said that he understood.
Tobirama silently observed Hiruzen.
Right now, his persona was that of a troublesome Uchiha brat, so openly looking at and sensing the Hokage did not matter…
Hiruzen's chakra surprised Tobirama, and the method also felt familiar to him.
'Hiruzen, this kid, actually copied that set of tricks from my elder brother…'
'Pretending to be naturally dull, then subduing people with strength, and afterward smiling and giving them a way out. Heh!'
'I really don't know why he learned that…' For some reason, Tobirama felt a slight sourness in his heart.
This was his student, not his elder brother's!
'But Hiruzen's amount of chakra is much greater than when he was younger… It's not only the Yin Seal…'
'Of course, it's still far inferior to my elder brother's, but compared to me at my peak…' Tobirama clicked his tongue inwardly. Although he did not want to admit it, the difference was negligible.
Perhaps even a little higher?
In the past, when he argued with Hashirama, whenever Hashirama could not outtalk him, he often used chakra pressure to suppress Tobirama.
But in truth it had just been small-scale scuffles. Most of it was for show, pretending to be angry.
Yet when he truly became furious—for example, when Tobirama had once insisted on dissecting Uchiha Madara—
The chakra Hashirama released had been like an earthquake, terrifying beyond measure.
At that moment, even Tobirama had thought that Hashirama was going to kill him…
Fortunately, Uzumaki Mito had come out in time to smooth things over.
Thinking of this, Tobirama also felt somewhat sentimental, and even forgot to ask how his sister-in-law was doing now…
However, before he completely mastered this body, Tobirama did not plan to meet Uzumaki Mito.
Mito not only had powerful sensory abilities but also a strange kind of intuition.
Back then, she had caused quite a bit of trouble for his forbidden technique research—although she had also helped in some ways…
And Hiruzen's progress also gave Tobirama, as his teacher, an inexplicable sense of urgency.
As the teacher, how could he be surpassed by his student?
If he were a middle-aged man, it would be one thing, but having lived a second life, the upper limit had widened!
He had to start striving!
Hiruzen cleared his throat lightly and said slowly, "How about this—I will arrange things for this young man. What do you think?"
"Young man, do you agree? I am the Hokage of this village, and I will consider your situation carefully…"
Tobirama nodded with an apparently expressionless face.
But inside, he was having difficulty holding it together.
Although he had long expected a scene like this…
Being kindly called "young man" by Hiruzen, and in the tone of a leader offering concern…
The feeling was simply too strange!
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